Collingwood 21 Year Old

Collingwood 21 Year Old Rye Canadian Whisky
40% ABV
$70WebsiteWhat the Distillery Says:Sadly, we waited so long to review this that all the distillery commentary was taken down from the Collingwood website.

What Gary Says:Nose: Soft, oaky, minty spice with hints of leather, nutmeg and cereal; lot of subtle nuance going on.Palate: Rounded, sweet, mellow fruitiness with toasted oak and maple-glazed pecans.Finish: Wet, and a bit shortComments: This was a one-time release a couple of years ago, and I passed on it as “too good to be true”. I mean, 21 yr rye whiskey for $70 (or less at some stores)?? I finally had a chance to sample it, and immediately regretted not buying it. I lucked into a bottle while traveling and immediately grabbed it. There aren’t a lot of whiskies at 80 proof that really hit me right, but this delivers a lot of flavor and nuance. I absolutely love the nose on this whiskey, and I really like the palate. This is softer – not as sharp-spicy as most US rye, but I wouldn’t let one slip by again.Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

What Richard Says:Nose: The “typical” rye mint note is a subtle back up. Creamy fruity notes play with more of grain saddle oil center. Yee-ha!Palate: Rye bread topped with orange marmalade and sprinkled with cracked pepper.Finish: Creamy and seriously mellow. You get just a bit of wood and pepper carry through.Comments: All the way back in 1991 the 50 barrel lot that was batched together for this limited release was laid down at the Canadian Mist Distillery in Collingwood. 21 Years and some maple wood finishing later and this limited release only hit shelves in Ontario, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming only. So being in Georgia I jumped at the chance for a 21 year old rye at $70. The packaging alone is hilarious. The weird cologne shaped bottle and the speed pour spout are a humorous diversion from the over-hyped newer ryes coming out now. The liquid itself will surprise you too. It is not maple syrupy or rye spicy or over woody. Everything you would think when you hear “21 year old maple wood finished rye” is put aside on this one. Not necessarily my style of rye but it is an accomplishment.Rating: Stands Out